Gray bird, 7/13 Northern VA, USA (1 Viewer)

Hi,

I have had this bird coming to my feeder for a while and I cannot seem to find a close match for it in my backyard bird book or on the Merlin application on my phone. It is smaller than a cardinal as you can see in the photo. I believe its a female house finch (or possibly a female brown-headed cowbird) but this is just my guess and would greatly appreciate some help. Thanks.

(Picture 1 & 2 are of the same bird, 3 was taking of a different one at a different time but I believe its the same species)

Young cowbird

Thanks!

Yup! Juvie Cowbird. Is the Northern Cardinal feeding it by any chance? I'm seeing a lot of that here with the Cowbirds and Cardinals.

KC Foggin said:

Yup! Juvie Cowbird. Is the Northern Cardinal feeding it by any chance? I'm seeing a lot of that here with the Cowbirds and Cardinals.

Click to expand...

Hi, no the Northern Cardinal was not feeding it, they were just simultaneous customers at the platform feeder; some morning doves, goldfinches, and white-breasted nuthactches were also hanging around but were not in the photo. They seem to all get along pretty well though.